Sled detection device

ABSTRACT

A surgical stapling device includes a staple reload and a shipping wedge. In embodiments, the shipping wedge is configured to disable the use of a staple reload if the staple reload does not have an actuation sled. In other embodiments, the actuation sled includes a readable identifier that facilitates confirmation of the presence of an actuation sled within a staple reload from a location externally of the staple reload.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/745,144, filed May 16, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,701,108, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/837,586, filed Apr.1, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,331,098, the entire contents of each ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The disclosure is directed to surgical stapling devices and, moreparticularly, to devices for detecting the presence of an actuation sledin a tool assembly of a surgical stapling device.

BACKGROUND

Surgical stapling devices for simultaneously stapling and cutting tissueare known in the art and are available in a variety of open andendoscopic configurations including linear, circular, and curved.Typically, linear surgical stapling devices that are configured forendoscopic use include a staple cartridge that includes a knife bar forcutting tissue and a sled that is movable through the staple cartridgeto eject staples from the staple cartridge. In some devices, the sled ispositioned to be engaged and advanced through the staple cartridge bythe knife bar.

When an actuation sled is not present in the tool assembly, advancementof the knife bar through the staple cartridge of the stapling devicecuts body tissue but does not affect stapling of the body tissue. Thismay have serious consequences for the patient. Although multiple checksare provided during a manufacturing process to confirm the presence ofan actuation sled within a tool assembly of the stapling device, acontinuing need exists in the art for a mechanism that can moreaccurately detect the absence of an actuation sled within the toolassembly and/or prevent the use of the tool assembly that does notinclude a sled assembly.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling deviceand package assembly including a stapling device, a shipping wedge, anda package. The stapling device includes a tool assembly including ananvil, a cartridge assembly, and a knife bar. The cartridge assembly iscoupled to the anvil such that the tool assembly is movable between anopen position and a clamped position. The cartridge assembly includes anactuation sled, and the knife bar and the actuation sled are movablethrough the tool assembly to eject staples from the staple cartridge.The shipping wedge is releasably coupled to the stapling device andincludes a body and a detection member supported on the body formovement between first and second positions. The detection member ispositioned to extend into the tool assembly and engage the actuationsled when the shipping wedge is coupled to the stapling device, whereinengagement of the detection member with the actuation sled moves thedetection member from the second position to the first position. Thepackage defines a cavity for receiving the stapling device and shippingwedge when the shipping wedge is coupled to the stapling device, thecavity being configured to receive the stapling device and shippingwedge within the cavity when the detection member is in the firstposition and to prevent reception of the stapling device and shippingwedge within the cavity when the detection member is in the secondposition.

In embodiments, the shipping wedge includes a biasing assembly that ispositioned to bias the detection member towards the second position.

In some embodiments, the shipping wedge includes a housing portion thatdefines a channel and a transverse bore that extends through the housingportion into the channel, and the detection member defines a detectionmember bore that is aligned with the transverse bore when the detectionmember is in the first position and is misaligned with the transversebore when the detection member is in the second position.

In certain embodiments, the package includes a post that positionedwithin the cavity and is configured to pass through the transverse boreof the housing portion of the shipping wedge and the detection memberbore when the detection member is in the first position and to preventplacement of the stapling device and shipping wedge into the cavity whenthe detection member is in the second position.

In embodiments, the shipping wedge includes a plurality of resilientclip members that are configured to releasably engage the staplingdevice to secure the shipping wedge to the stapling device.

In some embodiments, the anvil includes a through bore and the detectionmember extends through the through bore and into the cartridge assemblywhen the shipping wedge is secured to the stapling device.

In certain embodiments, the shipping wedge includes a housing portionthat defines a channel having first and second ends, and the detectionmember extends from the first end of the channel when the detectionmember is in the first position and extends from the second end of thechannel when the detection member is in the second position.

In embodiments, the cavity of the package is configured to receive thestapling device and the shipping wedge when the detection member is inthe first position and to prevent placement of the stapling device andthe shipping wedge into the cavity when the detection member is in thesecond position.

Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a surgical staplingdevice including a tool assembly, a body portion, and a shipping wedge.The tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly coupled tothe anvil such that the tool assembly is movable between an openposition and a clamped position. The body portion supports a driveassembly including a knife bar. The cartridge assembly includes achannel and a staple cartridge positioned within the channel. Thechannel includes a wall defining a longitudinal slot that facilitatespassage of the knife bar through the cartridge assembly. The staplecartridge includes an actuation sled, and the knife bar and theactuation sled are movable through the tool assembly from a retractedposition to an advanced position to eject staples from the staplecartridge. The shipping wedge is releasably coupled to the staplingdevice and includes a body portion, a retaining member, and a detectionmember. The retaining member extends through the longitudinal slot inthe channel of the cartridge assembly to secure the shipping wedge tothe stapling device. The retaining member is movable within thelongitudinal slot of the channel from a locked position in which theretaining member is locked within the longitudinal slot to an unlockedposition in which the retaining member is removable from thelongitudinal slot. The detection member is supported on the body formovement between first and second positions and extends into the toolassembly into engagement with the actuation sled when the shipping wedgeis coupled to the stapling device. Engagement of the detection memberwith the actuation sled moves the detection member from the secondposition to the first position, wherein in the second position, thedetection member is positioned to prevent movement of the retainingmember from the locked position to the unlocked position.

In embodiments, the retaining member includes a vertical strut and atransverse shoulder, wherein the vertical strut extends through thelongitudinal slot of the channel and the transverse shoulder engages thewall of the channel when the retaining member is in the locked positionto obstruct removal of the shipping wedge from the stapling device.

In some embodiments, the vertical strut is movable within thelongitudinal slot of the channel to move the retaining member betweenthe locked position and the unlocked position.

In certain embodiments, the detection member is supported on a resilientarm that is positioned within the longitudinal slot of the channeladjacent to the vertical strut of the retaining member when thedetection member is in the second position to prevent movement of theretaining member from the locked position to the unlocked position.

In embodiments, the shipping wedge includes a plurality of resilientclip members that are configured to releasably engage the staplingdevice to secure the shipping wedge to the surgical stapling device.

In some embodiments, the stapling device includes a mounting assemblythat is secured to the tool assembly, wherein the mounting assemblypivotably couples the tool assembly to the body portion of the staplingdevice such that the tool assembly can pivot in relation to the bodyportion.

In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of clip members includes afinger that is received between the mounting assembly and the bodyportion of the stapling device when the shipping wedge is coupled to thetool assembly to obstruct pivotable movement of the tool assembly inrelation to the body portion of the surgical stapling device.

In embodiments, the shipping wedge includes a stop member that ispositioned to extend through the longitudinal slot of the channel toobstruct movement of the knife from the retracted position towards theadvanced position when the shipping wedge is coupled to the staplingdevice.

In some embodiments, the shipping wedge includes a stop member thatextends outwardly from the body portion and is positioned to engage theanvil when the shipping wedge is coupled to the tool assembly to retainthe tool assembly in the open position.

Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a surgical staplingdevice including a tool assembly, a body portion, and a shipping wedge.The tool assembly extends from the body portion and includes an anviland a cartridge assembly coupled to the anvil such that the toolassembly is movable between an open position and a clamped position. Theanvil defines a through bore. The body portion supports a drive assemblyincluding a knife bar. The cartridge assembly includes a staplecartridge having an actuation sled, and the knife bar and the actuationsled are movable through the tool assembly to eject staples from thestaple cartridge. The shipping wedge is releasably coupled to thestapling device and includes a body portion and a detection membersupported on the body portion. The detection member is supported on aresilient arm that extends from the body portion and includes a lockingmember. The detection member is positioned to extend through the throughbore of the anvil and into the tool assembly into engagement with theactuation sled when the shipping wedge is coupled to the staplingdevice. The detection member is movable between a first position inwhich the locking member is positioned externally of the through bore ofthe anvil when the shipping wedge is coupled to the stapling device to asecond position in which the locking member is positioned through thethrough bore of the anvil when the shipping wedge is coupled to thestapling device to lock the shipping wedge onto the stapling device,wherein engagement between the detection member and the actuation sledduring coupling of the shipping wedge to the stapling device moves thedetection member from the second position to the first position.

In some embodiments, the locking member includes a stepped shoulderformed on the detection member.

In certain embodiments, the detection member includes a cam surface andthe stepped shoulder is positioned along the cam surface.

In embodiments, the cam surface is positioned to engage a portion of theanvil defining the through bore to resiliently deform the detectionmember such that when the locking member passes through the throughbore, the stepped shoulder snaps into engagement with the portion of theanvil defining the through bore to lock the shipping wedge onto thestapling device.

In some embodiments, engagement between the detection member and theactuation sled deforms the resilient arm to prevent entry of the lockingmember into the tool assembly.

Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a surgical staplingdevice including a tool assembly and a body portion. The tool assemblyextends from the body portion and includes an anvil and a cartridgeassembly coupled to the anvil such that the tool assembly is movablebetween an open position and a clamped position. The body portionsupports a drive assembly including a knife bar. The cartridge assemblyincludes a channel and a staple cartridge positioned within the channelhaving an actuation sled. The channel includes a wall defining alongitudinal slot that facilitates passage of the knife bar through thecartridge assembly, the knife bar and the actuation sled being movablethrough the tool assembly from a retracted position to an advancedposition to eject staples from the staple cartridge. A locking member issupported on the channel that has a finger positioned distally of theknife bar. The finger is movable from a first position blocking distalmovement of the knife bar to a second position removed from a path ofthe knife bar. The actuation sled is positioned between the finger ofthe locking member and the knife bar and includes an engagement memberthat is positioned to engage the finger of the resilient locking memberwhen the knife bar is moved from the retracted position towards theadvanced position to move the finger from the first position to thesecond position.

In embodiments, the locking member is formed of a resilient material andthe finger is biased towards the first position.

In some embodiments, the engagement member of the actuation sledincludes a ramp member that is movable into engagement with the fingerto bias the finger to the second position.

Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a tool assemblyincluding a body portion, an anvil, and a cartridge assembly. Thecartridge assembly is coupled to the anvil such that the tool assemblyis movable between an open position and a clamped position. The bodyportion supports a drive assembly including a knife bar. The cartridgeassembly includes a channel and an actuation sled. The channel has awall defining a longitudinal slot that facilitates passage of the knifebar through the cartridge assembly such that the knife bar and theactuation sled are movable through the tool assembly to eject staplesfrom the staple cartridge. The actuation sled supports a readableidentifier that can be read to facilitate confirmation of the presenceof an actuation sled within the tool assembly from a position externallyof the tool assembly.

In embodiments, the readable identifier is a barcode.

In some embodiments, the readable identifier is an RFID.

In certain embodiments, the readable identifier is visible through thelongitudinal slot of the channel of the cartridge assembly.

Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a surgical staplingdevice including a tool assembly, a body portion, and a shipping wedge.The tool assembly extends from the body portion and includes an anvildefining a through bore and a cartridge assembly that is coupled to theanvil such that the tool assembly is movable between an open positionand a clamped position. The body portion supports a drive assembly thatincludes a knife bar. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridgehaving an actuation sled. The knife bar and the actuation sled aremovable through the tool assembly to eject staples from the staplecartridge. The shipping wedge is releasably coupled to the staplingdevice and includes a body portion and a detection member supported onthe body portion. The detection member includes a locking member havinga locking surface. The detection member is positioned to extend throughthe through bore of the anvil and into the tool assembly into engagementwith the actuation sled when the shipping wedge is coupled to thestapling device. The detection member is movable between a firstposition in which the locking surface of the locking member does notpass through the through bore of the anvil when the shipping wedge iscoupled to the stapling device to a second position in which the lockingmember passes through the through bore of the anvil when the shippingwedge is coupled to the stapling device to lock the shipping wedge ontothe stapling device. The detection member is positioned to engage theactuation sled during coupling of the shipping wedge to the staplingdevice to move the detection member from the second position to thefirst position.

Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a shipping wedgeincluding a body portion and a detection member supported on the bodyportion. The detection member includes a locking member having a lockingsurface. The detection member is positioned to extend through a bore ofa tool assembly into engagement with an inner component of the toolassembly when the shipping wedge is coupled to the tool assembly. Thedetection member is movable between a first position in which thelocking surface of the locking member does not pass through the throughbore of the tool assembly when the shipping wedge is coupled to the toolassembly to a second position in which the locking member is positionedto pass through the through bore of the tool assembly when the shippingwedge is coupled to the tool assembly to lock the shipping wedge ontothe tool assembly. The detection member is positioned to engage theinner component of the tool assembly during coupling of the shippingwedge to the tool assembly to move the detection member from the secondposition to the first position.

In embodiments, the detection member is supported on a resilient armthat extends from the body portion of the shipping wedge.

In some embodiments, the locking surface of the locking member includesa stepped shoulder formed on the detection member.

In certain embodiments, the detection member includes a cam surface andthe stepped shoulder is positioned along the cam surface.

In embodiments, the cam surface is positioned to engage a portion of theanvil defining the through bore to resiliently deform the detectionmember such that when the locking member passes through the throughbore, the stepped shoulder snaps into engagement with the portion of theanvil defining the through bore to lock the shipping wedge onto theanvil.

In some embodiments, engagement between the detection member and theactuation sled deforms the resilient arm to prevent entry of the lockingmember into the tool assembly.

In certain embodiments, the detection member is coupled to the bodyportion of the shipping wedge by a pivot member.

In embodiments, the detection member includes an upper body portion anda lower body portion that supports the locking member.

In some embodiments, the locking member includes a resilient finger thatextends towards the upper body portion and transversely outwardly fromthe lower body portion of the locking member.

In certain embodiments, the lower body portion of the detection memberincludes an engagement surface that is positioned to engage theactuation sled when the shipping wedge is attached to the tool assembly,wherein the engagement surface is angled towards the upper body portionin a proximal direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the disclosed device for detecting the presenceof an actuation sled within a tool assembly of a surgical staplingdevice are described herein below with reference to the drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a staplereload and shipping wedge for detecting the presence of an actuationsled within a tool assembly of the staple reload with the tool assemblyin an open position;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the staple reload and shippingwedge shown in FIG. 1 with parts separated;

FIG. 2A is a side perspective view of an actuation sled of the staplereload shown in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the staple reload shown in FIG. 2with an actuation sled positioned within the tool assembly of the staplereload;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the staple reload shown in FIG. 2without an actuation sled positioned within the tool assembly of thestaple reload;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the staple reload and shippingwedge of FIG. 1 in association with a package for storing the staplereload and shipping wedge prior to placement of the staple reload withinthe package;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the staple reload shown in FIG. 1including an actuation sled in association with another exemplaryembodiment of a shipping wedge for detecting the presence of theactuation sled within the tool assembly of the staple reload with thetool assembly in an open position;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the staple reload and the shippingwedge shown in FIG. 6 with the tool assembly of the staple reload in anopen position and the actuation sled missing from the tool assembly;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view from one side of another exemplaryembodiment of the disclosed shipping wedge;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view from the other side of the shipping wedgeshown in FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 10 ;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 13-13 of FIG.12 ;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 14-14 of FIG.10 ;

FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the staple reload shown in FIG. 1in association with another exemplary embodiment of a shipping wedge fordetecting the presence of the actuation sled within the tool assembly ofthe staple reload with the tool assembly in an open position;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the staple reload and shipping wedge shown inFIG. 10 ;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view from the proximal end of the tool assemblyof the staple reload shown in FIG. 10 with a tubular housing of aproximal body portion of the staple reload removed and the tool assemblyin the open position;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 17 ;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 19-19 of FIG.18 ;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 20-20 of FIG.17 ;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 21-21 of FIG.17 illustrating the interaction between the actuation sled and a wedgemember of the shipping wedge;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 22-22 of FIG.21 ;

FIG. 23 is a side cross-sectional view taken along section line 21-21with the actuation sled removed from the staple cartridge;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 24-24 of FIG.23 ;

FIG. 25 is a side perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of astaple reload and a shipping wedge for detecting the presence of anactuation sled within a tool assembly of the staple reload with the toolassembly in an open position;

FIG. 26 is a side perspective view of the staple reload and the shippingwedge shown in FIG. 25 with parts separated;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 27-27 of FIG.25 with an actuation sled present in the staple cartridge of the toolassembly of the staple reload;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 27-27 of FIG.25 with an actuation sled missing from the staple cartridge of the toolassembly of the staple reload;

FIG. 29 is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a toolassembly of a staple reload without an actuation sled including alockout mechanism for a knife bar of the staple reload with the lockoutmechanism in a locked position;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view from the bottom of the an actuation sledof the tool assembly shown in FIG. 29 ;

FIG. 31 is a side perspective view of the tool assembly of the staplereload shown in FIG. 29 including an actuation sled with the knife barand actuation sled in retracted positions;

FIG. 32 is a side perspective view of the tool assembly of the staplereload shown in FIG. 31 as the knife bar and actuation sled are movedfrom their retracted positions towards their advanced positions as thelockout mechanism is moved to its unlocked position;

FIG. 33 is a side perspective view of the tool assembly of the staplereload shown in FIG. 32 as the knife bar and actuation sled are movedfrom their retracted positions further towards their advanced positionsand the lockout mechanism is returned to its locked position;

FIG. 34 is a bottom view of another exemplary embodiment of an actuationsled of a tool assembly of a staple reload in accordance with thedisclosure;

FIG. 35 is a bottom perspective view of a tool assembly including theactuation sled shown in FIG. 34 ;

FIG. 36 is another exemplary embodiment of an actuation sled of a toolassembly of a staple reload in accordance with the disclosure;

FIG. 37 is a side perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of astaple reload and a shipping wedge for detecting the presence of anactuation sled within a tool assembly of the staple reload with the toolassembly in an open position;

FIG. 37A is a side perspective view of the staple reload and theshipping wedge shown in FIG. 37 with the tool assembly of the staplereload in the open position and the shipping wedge separated from thetool assembly;

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 38-38 of FIG.37 ;

FIG. 39 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 38 illustrating the reload without an actuation sled;

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 40-40 of FIG.39 ;

FIG. 41 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 38 illustrating the reload with an actuation sled; and

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 42-42 of FIG.41 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed devices for detecting the presence of an actuation sledwithin a tool assembly of a surgical stapling device and theirassociated methods of use will now be described in detail with referenceto the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical orcorresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it is tobe understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of thedisclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions orconstructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring thedisclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural andfunctional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted aslimiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representativebasis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ thedisclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Inaddition, directional terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top,bottom, distal, proximal, and similar terms are used to assist inunderstanding the description and are not intended to limit thedisclosure.

In this description, the term “proximal” is used generally to refer tothat portion of the device that is closer to a clinician, while the term“distal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device thatis farther from the clinician. In addition, the term “endoscopic” isused generally used to refer to endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic,and/or any other procedure conducted through small diameter incision orcannula. Further, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer tomedical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a shipping wedge 50including a device 52 for detecting the presence of an actuation sled 54(FIG. 2A) in association with a surgical stapling device. As illustratedherein, the surgical stapling device 10 is shown generally as a staplereload 10 that includes a proximal body portion 12 that can bereleasably coupled to a handle assembly (not shown) of a surgicalstapling device. Alternately, the surgical stapling device or staplereload 10 can be configured to be coupled to a robotic system or can befixedly coupled to a handle assembly for selective actuation. For a moredetailed description of a surgical stapling device including exemplaryembodiments of the handle assembly and the staple reload, see, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 7,565,993 (“the '993 Patent”) and U.S. Pat. No. 8,931,683(“the '683 Patent”), which are incorporated herein in their entirety’

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the staple reload 10 and the shipping wedge 50.The staple reload 10 includes the proximal body portion 12 which definesa longitudinal axis “X”, a tool assembly 14, and a mounting assembly 16.The mounting assembly 16 has a first end that is secured to the toolassembly 14 and a second end that is pivotally secured to the proximalbody portion 14 such that the tool assembly 14 can pivot between aposition aligned with the longitudinal axis “X” of the proximal bodyportion 12 to positions that define an acute angle with the longitudinalaxis “X”. For a more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of astapling device including a staple reload with a pivotable toolassembly, see, e.g., the '993 and '683 Patents.

Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the tool assembly 14 includes an anvil20 and a cartridge assembly 22. The anvil 20 is coupled to the cartridgeassembly 22 by a pivot member (not shown) such that the cartridgeassembly 22 can pivot in relation to the anvil 20 between open andclamped positions. The anvil 20 includes a proximal end portion 24 thatdefines a through bore 26 (FIG. 2 ) that extends into the tool assembly14 and communicates with the cartridge assembly 22.

The cartridge assembly 22 includes a staple cartridge 28 having a body30 that defines a plurality of rows of staple receiving slots 32 and aknife slot 36. The staple receiving slots 32 are positioned on oppositesides of the knife slot 36 and receive a plurality of staples (notshown). The cartridge assembly 22 also includes a channel 38 that ispositioned and dimensioned to receive the staple cartridge 28. Thechannel 38 includes a bottom wall 40 that defines a knife slot 40 a(FIG. 3 ) that is longitudinally aligned with the knife slot 36 in thestaple cartridge 28. In embodiments, the channel 38 is configured toreleasably receive the staple cartridge 28 to facilitate replacement ofthe staple cartridge 28 after each use.

The staple reload 10 includes a drive assembly 42 (FIG. 3 ) that ismovable from a retracted position to an advanced position to move theanvil 20 and the cartridge assembly 22 between the open and clampedpositions. The drive assembly 42 includes a knife bar 44 that ispositioned proximally of the actuation sled 54 and is configured to movethrough the longitudinal slots 36, 40 a in the staple cartridge 28 andthe channel 38 to cut tissue clamped between the anvil and the cartridgeassembly. For a detailed description of an exemplary drive assembly,see, e.g., the '993 and '683 Patents.

The shipping wedge 50 includes a body 56 that is formed of a resilientmaterial and includes a grip portion 58, a housing portion 60, anextension 62, and a plurality of clip members 66 that extend from thegrip portion 58 and/or the housing portion 60. The extension 62 extendsdistally from the housing portion 60 and may be grasped to assist inremoval of the shipping wedge 50 from the staple reload 10. The clipmembers 66 are configured be snap-fit over the staple reload 10 tosecure the shipping wedge 50 to the staple reload 10. In embodiments,the clip members 66 are semi-circular in shape and can flex outwardly toreceive the staple reload 10.

The housing portion 60 of the shipping wedge 50 defines a channel 68that is aligned with the through bore 26 in the anvil 20 when theshipping wedge 50 is coupled to the staple reload 10 and receives thedetection device 52. The housing portion 60 of the shipping wedge 50also defines a bore 70 that intersects and defines an axis that istransverse to the longitudinal axis of the channel 68.

The detection device 52 includes a detection member or slide 72 and abiasing member 74. The slide 72 is received within the channel 68 of thehousing portion 60 and includes an abutment, e.g., flexible detent 76,that is received in a groove 78 formed in the housing portion 60 tolimit movement of the slide 72 within the channel 68 between a firstposition (FIG. 3 ) and a second position (FIG. 4 ). The slide 72 alsodefines a bore 80 that is aligned with the bore 70 in the housingportion 60 of the shipping wedge 54 when the slide 72 is in the firstposition. The biasing member 74 is received within the groove 78 of thehousing portion 60 and abuts detents 76 on the slide 72 to urge theslide 72 towards the second position.

The actuation sled 54 is received within the tool assembly 14 and ismovable through the staple cartridge 28 in response to movement of thedrive assembly 42 between retracted and advanced positions to ejectstaples (not shown) from the staple cartridge 28. See, e.g., the '993and '683 Patents. When the actuation sled 54 is in its retractedposition, the actuation sled 54 is aligned with the through bore 26 inthe anvil 20. As such, when the shipping wedge 50 is attached to thestaple reload 10, the slide 72 passes through the through bore 26 intothe tool assembly 14 and into engagement with the actuation sled 54 whenan actuation sled 54 is present within the tool assembly 14. When theslide 72 engages the actuation sled 54 as the shipping wedge 50 isclipped onto the staple reload 10, the slide 72 is moved from its secondposition to its first position (FIG. 3 ) and the biasing member 74 iscompressed. As described above, in the first position of the slidemember 72 (FIG. 3 ), the bore 70 (FIG. 2 ) in the housing portion 60 ofthe shipping wedge 50 is aligned with the bore 80 in the slide 72.However, when an actuation sled 54 is not present in the tool assembly14, the slide 72 remains in the second position (FIG. 4 ) as theshipping wedge 50 is coupled to the staple reload 10. When the slide 72is in the second position, the bore 70 in the housing portion 60 of theshipping wedge 50 is misaligned with the bore 80 in the slide 72.

Referring to FIG. 5 , after the reload 10 is manufactured and theshipping wedge 50 is secured to the staple reload 10, the staple reload10 and the shipping wedge 50 assembly is placed in a sterile package 90for shipping and storage. In this embodiment, the package 90 defines acavity 91 that includes a post 92 that is positioned within the package90. The post 92 is positioned to be received through the bore 70 of theslide 72 and the bore 80 of the slide 72 when the slide 72 is in thefirst position (FIG. 3 ) with an actuation sled 54 located within thetool assembly 14. If there is no actuation sled 54 within the toolassembly 14, the slide 72 remains in the second position in which thebore 70 of the slide 72 and the bore 80 of the slide 72 are not alignedwith each other. Thus, the staple reload 10 and the shipping wedge 50assembly cannot receive the post 92 within the cavity 91 of the package90 and cannot be received within the cavity 91. This provides a clearindication to the manufacturer that the tool assembly 14 does not havean actuation sled 54 and should be discarded.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate an alternate exemplary embodiment of a shippingwedge in accordance with the disclosure shown generally as 50′. Theshipping wedge 50′ is substantially identical to the shipping wedge 50described above but does not include a bore 70 in the housing portion60′ of the shipping wedge 50′ or a bore 80 in the slide 72′. Incontrast, the slide 72′ extends from the housing portion 60′ of theshipping wedge 50′ when the actuation sled 54 of the staple reload 10 ispresent and the slide 72′ is in the first position and extends throughthe slot 40 a in the bottom wall 40 of the channel 38 of the cartridgeassembly 22 when the actuation sled 54 is not present in the toolassembly 14.

When the staple reload 10 and the shipping wedge 50′ assembly are placedwithin the blister package 90′ after manufacturing, a cavity 96′ definedby the package 90′ is configured to only receive the staple reload 10and shipping wedge 50′ when the slide 72′ is in the first position (FIG.7 ). As shown in FIG. 9 , the slide 72′ will not fit in the cavity 96′of the package 90′ when the slide 72′ is in the second position (FIG. 9). This provides a clear indication to the manufacturer that the toolassembly 14 does not have an actuation sled 54 and should be discarded.Although not shown, a biasing member such as biasing member 74 may beprovided to urge the slide 72′ to the second position (FIG. 9 ).

FIGS. 10-24 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the disclosed shippingwedge shown generally as shipping wedge 150. FIGS. 10-13 illustrate theshipping wedge 150 which includes a central body portion 152 having aproximal portion and a distal portion, and a spacer 154 that extendsfrom the distal portion of the central body portion 152. The shippingwedge 150 also includes a pair clip members 156 that extend from theproximal portion of the central body portion 152, a retaining member158, a detection member 160, and a stop member 162. The clip members 156are each supported on a flexible arm 166 that extend from the centralbody portion 152 and are configured to engage opposite sides of thestaple reload 10 (FIG. 15 ) to secure the proximal portion of theshipping wedge 150 to the staple reload 10 (FIG. 15 ). Each of the clipmembers 156 includes inwardly extending fingers 168 (FIG. 19 ) that arepositioned and configured to be received between the mounting assembly16 and the proximal body portion 12 of the staple reload 10 to securethe distal portion of the shipping wedge 150 to the staple reload 10 andto prevent articulation of the tool assembly 14 in relation to theproximal body portion 12.

The spacer 154 is supported on the distal portion of the central bodyportion 152 and includes a cantilevered leg 170 and a transverse portion174. The cantilevered leg 170 extends outwardly from the central bodyportion 152 and defines a channel 172 with the central body portion 152that is dimensioned to receive a distal portion of the cartridgeassembly 22 (FIG. 15 ). The transverse portion 174 is positioned toengage the anvil 20 of the tool assembly 14 when the shipping wedge 150is secured to the staple reload 10 to maintain the anvil 20 and thecartridge assembly 22 in the open position (FIG. 15 ).

FIGS. 15-24 illustrate the shipping wedge 150 supported on the staplereload 10. The stop member 162 of the shipping wedge 150 is positionedon the central body portion 152 of the shipping wedge 150 and isconfigured to be received within the slot 40 a (FIG. 9 ) defined in thebottom wall 40 of the channel 38 of the cartridge assembly 22 to aposition distally of the knife bar 44 of the drive assembly 42 (FIG. 23). The stop member 162 prevents inadvertent advancement of the driveassembly 42 during shipping and storage.

The retaining member 158 of the shipping wedge 150 is also dimensionedto be received through the slot 40 a in the bottom wall 40 of thechannel 38 of the cartridge assembly 22 (FIG. 24 ). The retaining member158 includes a vertical strut 176 a (FIG. 12 ) and a transverse shoulder176 b. The vertical strut 176 a extends through the slot 40 a in thebottom wall 40 of the channel 38 of the cartridge assembly 22. When theretaining member 158 is received within the slot 40 a of the channel 38of the cartridge assembly 22, the transverse shoulder 176 b of theretaining member 158 engages an inner surface of the bottom wall 40 ofthe channel 38 (FIG. 24 ) to secure the shipping wedge 150 to the staplereload 10. The slot 40 a has a width that is greater than the width ofthe vertical strut 176 a to allow the vertical strut 176 a to movewithin the slot 40 a from a locked position in which the shoulder 176 bis engaged with the bottom wall 40 of the channel 38 to an unlockedposition in which the shoulder 176 a of the retaining member 158 isaligned with the slot 40 a to facilitate removal of the transverseshoulder 176 b from the inner surface of the bottom wall 40. When thevertical strut 176 a of the retaining member 158 is moved to theunlocked position, the transverse shoulder 176 b is disengaged from theinner surface of the bottom wall 40 of the channel 38 and can be removedfrom the slot 40 a to separate the shipping wedge 150 from the staplereload 10.

The detection member 160 (FIG. 13 ) is supported on one end of aresilient arm 180. The other end of the resilient arm 180 is connectedto the central body portion 152 of the shipping wedge 150. When theshipping wedge 150 is secured to the staple reload 150, the detectionmember 160 is positioned to engage the actuation sled 54 of the toolassembly 14 of the staple reload 10 (FIG. 21 ). Upon engagement with theactuation sled 54, the detection member 160 is urged, e.g., pivoted,from a locked position (FIG. 24 ) to an unlocked position (FIG. 22 ). Inthe locked position (FIGS. 23 and 24 ), where the staple reload 10 doesnot include an actuation sled 54, the resilient arm 180 is positionedadjacent the vertical strut 176 a of the retaining member 158 within theslot 40 a of the channel 38 to prevent movement of the vertical strut176 a within the slot 40 a of the channel 38 and prevent removal of theshipping wedge 150 from the staple reload 10. In the unlocked position(FIGS. 21 and 22 ), where the staple reload includes an actuation sled54, the detection member 160 engages the actuation sled 54 to urge theresilient arm 180 upwardly and remove the resilient arm 180 from theslot 40 a of the channel 38 to allow transverse movement of the verticalstrut 176 a within the slot 40 a. When the resilient arm 180 is removedfrom the slot 40 a, the vertical strut 176 a of the retaining member 158of the shipping wedge 150 can be moved within the slot 40 a of thechannel 38 to facilitate removal of the transverse shoulder 176 b fromthe channel 38 through the slot 40 a and thus, allow removal of theshipping wedge 150 from the staple reload 10.

The configuration of the shipping wedge 150 prevents removal of theshipping wedge 150 from the staple reload 10 when the tool assembly 14does not include an actuation sled 54 to prevent use of the staplereload 10 when an actuation sled 54 is not present within the staplereload 10. This provides a clear indication to a clinician to discardthe staple reload 10.

FIGS. 25-28 illustrate another alternate embodiment of the disclosedshipping wedge shown generally as shipping wedge 250. The shipping wedge250 includes a body 252 that is formed of a resilient material andincludes a longitudinal grip portion 254, an extension 256, a detectionmember 258, a guide member 259, and clip members 260 that extend fromthe grip portion 254. The extension 256 extends distally from the gripportion 254. The clip members 260 are configured be snap-fit over thestaple reload 10 to secure the shipping wedge 250 to the staple reload10. In embodiments, the clip members 260 are semi-circular in shape andcan flex outwardly to receive the staple reload 10. The guide member 259is received within a guide hole 20 a (FIG. 26 ) formed in the anvil 20to properly locate the shipping wedge 250 on the stapling reload 10.

The detection member 258 extends from the body 252 in the direction ofthe clip members 260 and is positioned to extend through the throughbore 26 of the anvil 20 into the tool assembly 14. The detection member258 is supported on a resilient arm 262 that extends from the body 252of the shipping wedge 250 and includes a curved body 264 having anengagement surface 264 a. The curved body 264 includes a cam surface 266including a locking member or surface. In embodiments, the lockingmember or surface includes a stepped shoulder 268. The cam surface 266is positioned to engage an inner wall of the anvil 20 defining thedistal end of the through bore 26 when the detection member 258 isinserted through the through bore 26 in the anvil 20.

When the shipping wedge 250 is secured to the staple reload 10, and thedetection member 258 is inserted through the through bore 26 of theanvil 20, the engagement surface 264 a of the detection member 258 ispositioned to engage the actuation sled 54 within the tool assembly 14to prevent further insertion of the detection member 258 into the toolassembly 258 (FIG. 27 ). When the engagement surface 264 a engages theactuation sled 54, the detection member 258 is biased upwardly in thedirection indicated by arrow “B” in FIG. 27 to prevent the lockingmember, e.g., the stepped shoulder 268, of the detection member 258 frompassing through the through bore 26 of the anvil 20 into the toolassembly 14.

Referring to FIG. 28 , when an actuation sled 54 is not present in thetool assembly 14 of the staple reload 10, as the shipping wedge 250 issecured to the staple reload 10, the detection member 258 extendsthrough the through bore 26 of the anvil 20 and enters the tool assembly14 without obstruction by the actuation sled 54. As the detection member258 passes through the through bore 26 of the anvil 20, the detectionmember 258 is flexed inwardly as the cam surface 266 of the detectionmember 258 engages the anvil 20. When the stepped shoulder 268 of thedetection member 258 passes through the through bore 26 of the anvil 20,the detection member 258 flexes outwardly in the direction indicated byarrow “C” to move the stepped shoulder 268 of the detection member 258into engagement with the inner wall defining the through bore 26 of theanvil 20 to prevent removal of the shipping wedge 250 from the staplereload 10.

The configuration of the shipping wedge 250 prevents removal of theshipping wedge 250 from the staple reload 10 when the tool assembly 14does not include an actuation sled 54 to prevent use of the staplereload 10. This provides a clear indication to a clinician to discardthe staple reload 10.

FIGS. 29-33 includes another exemplary embodiment of a staple reloadshown generally as staple reload 300 that includes a mechanism 302 toprevent use of the staple reload 300 when the staple reload 300 ismissing an actuation sled 354 (FIG. 31 ). The staple reload 300 issubstantially the same as the staple reload 10 except for the additionof the mechanism 302. The mechanism 302 includes a resilient lockingmember 304 that includes a base 305 that is secured to the channel 338of the cartridge assembly 322. The locking member 304 also includes aresilient finger 306 that extends proximally from the base 305 and ispositioned distally of a knife bar 344 of a drive assembly 342 of thetool assembly 314 when the knife bar 344 is in a retracted position. Ina first unbiased locked position (FIG. 29 ), the resilient finger 306 ispositioned to obstruct distal movement of the knife bar 344 of the driveassembly 342 through the cartridge assembly 322.

Referring to FIGS. 30-32 , the actuation sled 354 (FIG. 30 ) includes aramp surface 310 that is positioned between the resilient finger 306 andthe knife bar 344 and faces the resilient finger 306. When the actuationsled 354 is positioned within the tool assembly 314, the ramp surface310 extends through a knife slot 312 in the channel 338 of the cartridgeassembly 322. When the knife bar 344 is advanced through the cartridgeassembly 322 of the tool assembly 314 in the direction indicated byarrows “D” in FIG. 32 , the ramp surface 310 of the actuation sled 354engages the resilient finger 306 of the mechanism 302 to lift theresilient finger 306 in the direction indicated by arrow “E” in FIG. 32to an unlocked position out of the path of the knife bar 344. If theactuation sled 354 is missing from the tool assembly 314, the resilientfinger 306 remains in the locked position to obstruct advancement of theknife bar 344 distally beyond the resilient finger 306 and, thus,prevents firing of the staple reload 300.

When the knife bar 344 is retracted, the knife bar 344 will engage theresilient finger 306 of the resilient locking member 304 and pass underthe locking member 304 as it moves through the tool assembly towards itsretracted position. In its retracted position, the knife bar 344 ispositioned proximally of the resilient finger 306 of the locking member304 and is ready for subsequent uses. In devices in which the staplecartridge is reusable such as devices that use multi-use loading units,the locking member 304 will function to lockout the tool assemblywherein newly loaded staple cartridges do not include an actuation sled.

FIGS. 34-36 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a staple reloadthat allows a manufacturer to identify the absence of an actuation sled454 within a tool assembly 414 of the staple reload. The actuation sled454 of the tool assembly 414 includes a barcode 456 that can be readthrough a slot 440 a formed in the channel 440 of the cartridge assembly422. In embodiments, the slot 440 a may be the knife slot or,alternately, the slot could be a slot formed specifically to provideaccess the barcode. Although the slot 440 a is illustrated as beingformed in the channel 438 of the cartridge assembly 422, the slot 440 acan be formed in any portion of the tool assembly to provide access to abarcode supported on the actuation sled 454.

In an alternate embodiment, the bar code can be replaced with a radiofrequency identification tag (“RFID”) that is affixed to the actuationsled 454B (FIG. 36 ). In both embodiments, the tool assembly 414 isscanned to determine the presence or absence of an actuation sled 454within the tool assembly 414. It is envisioned that the actuation sled454 can be provided with any identifier that can be read from a locationexternally of the tool assembly to facilitate confirmation of thepresence of the actuation sled 454 within the tool assembly including anRFID, a bar code, a chip, a transceiver, a transponder or the like,whether or not identification is accomplished through radio waves,optics, or other known technology.

FIGS. 37-42 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a staple reloadshown generally as staple reload 700 that includes another exemplaryembodiment of the disclosed shipping wedge shown generally as shippingwedge 600. The shipping wedge 600 prevents use of the staple reload 700when the staple reload 700 is missing an actuation sled 702 (FIG. 41 ).The shipping wedge 600 includes a body 602 that is formed of a resilientmaterial and includes a longitudinal grip portion 604, an extension 606,a detection member 608, and clip members 610 that extend from the gripportion 604. The extension 606 extends distally from the grip portion604 and includes a tab 606 a that can be grasped by a clinician tofacilitate removal of the shipping wedge 600 from the staple reload 700.The clip members 610 have a semi-circular configuration and can besnap-fit over the staple reload 700 to secure the shipping wedge 600 tothe staple reload 700. In embodiments, the clip members 610 aresemi-circular in shape and can flex outwardly to receive the staplereload 700.

The detection member 608 extends from the body 602 of the shipping wedge600 in the direction of the clip members 610 and is positioned to extendthrough a through bore 726 (FIG. 37A) defined in an anvil 720 of thetool assembly 714. In embodiments, the detection member 608 ispositioned within a cylindrical recess 610 a (FIG. 37A) defined by oneof the clip members 610. The detection member 608 includes a body 614(FIG. 41 ) having an upper portion 614 a that is pivotally coupled tothe body 602 of the shipping wedge 600 by a pivot member 616 and a lowerportion 614 b that includes a locking member 622. The pivot member 616is centrally positioned on the body 614 of the detection member 608between the upper and lower body portions 614 a and 614 b, respectively.The body 602 of the shipping wedge 600 defines a blind bore 630 that isaligned with the upper portion 614 a of the detection member 608. Theblind bore 630 receives a biasing member 632 that engages the upperportion 614 a of the detection member 608 to urge the detection member608 to rotate about the pivot member 616 in the direction indicated byarrow “Z” in FIG. 39 . The lower body portion 614 b has an engagementsurface 634 (FIG. 39 ) that is angled towards the upper body portion 614a in the proximal direction.

The locking member 622 includes a resilient finger 636 that extendstowards the upper body portion 614 a and transversely outwardly from thelower body portion 614 b of the locking member 622. The resilient finger636 is positioned to prevent the detection member 608 from being removedfrom the anvil 720 of the tool assembly 714 when the resilient finger636 passes through the slot 726 to prevent removal of the shipping wedge600 from the staple reload 700 to effectively disable the staple reload700.

FIGS. 38-40 illustrate the shipping wedge 600 attached to a staplereload 700 that is missing an actuation sled 702 (FIG. 41 ). When theshipping wedge 600 is secured to the staple reload 700, the detectionmember 608 is inserted through the through bore 726 of the anvil 720.The engagement surface 634 on the lower portion 614 b of the body 614 ofthe detection member 608 is positioned to engage the actuation sled 702within the tool assembly 714 to prevent passage of the resilient finger636 of the locking member 622 of detection member 608 into the toolassembly 714 (FIG. 27 ). When an actuation sled 702 is not positionedwithin the tool assembly 714, the locking member 622 of the detectionmember 608 including the resilient finger 636 passes through the throughbore 726 in the anvil 720. As the resilient finger 636 passes throughthe through bore 726, the resilient finger 636 engages walls definingthe through bore 726 and is deformed, or straightened, as resilientfinger passes through the through bore 726. When the resilient finger636 passes through the through bore 726 the resilient finger will returnto its non-deformed configuration extending transversely outwardly ofthe lower body portion 614 b of the detection member 608 (FIG. 40 ) topassage of the resilient finger 636 through the through bore 726, toprevent removal of the locking member 622, and thus the shipping wedge600, from the tool assembly 714. This effectively disables the staplereload 700 when an actuation sled 702 (FIG. 41 ) is not present in thetool assembly 714.

FIGS. 41 and 42 illustrate the shipping wedge 600 attached to a staplereload 700 including a tool assembly 714 that has an actuation sled 702.When the shipping wedge 600 is attached to the staple reload 600, theengagement surface 634 on lower portion 614 b of the body 614 of thedetection member 608 engages the actuation sled 54. This engagementcauses the detection member 608 to pivot in the direction of arrow “X”against the bias of the biasing member 632 to prevent the resilientfinger 636 of the locking member 622 from passing through the throughbore 726 of the tool assembly 714. As such, the locking member 622 canbe removed from the tool assembly 714 through the through bore 726 toallow the shipping wedge 600 to be removed from the staple reload 700.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methodsspecifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. It is envisioned thatthe elements and features illustrated or described in connection withone exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and featuresof another without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As well,one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantagesof the disclosure based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly,the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shownand described, except as indicated by the appended claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. A cartridge assembly comprising: a channel includingside walls and a bottom wall that define a cavity, the bottom walldefining a first knife slot that extends longitudinally through thebottom wall; a staple cartridge positioned within the cavity of thechannel, the staple cartridge having a body, staples, and an actuationsled, the body defining staple receiving slots and a second knife slot,the staples received within the staple receiving slots, the actuationsled movable through the body from a sled retracted position to a sledadvanced position to eject the staples from the staple cartridge, theactuation sled including a ramp member that extends through the firstknife slot of the channel; and a locking member supported on the channeland including a finger that extends across the first knife slot, thefinger being movable from a first position engaged with an outer surfaceof the channel to a second position spaced from the outer surface of thechannel, wherein movement of the actuation sled from the sled retractedposition towards the sled advanced position moves the ramp member intoengagement with the finger to move the finger from the first position tothe second position.
 3. The cartridge assembly of claim 2, wherein thelocking member is formed of a resilient material and the finger isbiased to the first position.
 4. The cartridge assembly of claim 3,wherein the locking member includes a base, and the finger extends fromthe base.
 5. The cartridge assembly of claim 4, wherein the base issecured to the outer surface of the channel.
 6. The cartridge assemblyof claim 5, wherein the finger extends from the base in a proximaldirection.
 7. The cartridge assembly of claim 2, wherein the ramp memberincludes an angled surface that slopes away from the staple cartridge inthe proximal direction.
 8. A tool assembly comprising: an anvil; and acartridge assembly coupled to the anvil such that the tool assembly ismovable between an open position and a clamped position, the cartridgeassembly including: a channel including side walls and a bottom wallthat define a cavity, the bottom wall defining a first knife slot thatextends longitudinally through the bottom wall; a staple cartridgepositioned within the cavity of the channel, the staple cartridge havinga body, staples, and an actuation sled, the body defining staplereceiving slots and a second knife slot, the staples received within thestaple receiving slots, the actuation sled movable through the body froma sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject thestaples from the staple cartridge, the actuation sled including a rampmember that extends through the first knife slot of the channel; and alocking member supported on the channel and including a finger thatextends across the first knife slot, the finger being movable from afirst position engaged with an outer surface of the channel to a secondposition spaced from the outer surface of the channel, wherein movementof the actuation sled from the sled retracted position towards the sledadvanced position moves the ramp member into engagement with the fingerto move the finger from the first position to the second position. 9.The tool assembly of claim 8, wherein the locking member of thecartridge assembly is formed of a resilient material and the finger isbiased to the first position.
 10. The tool assembly of claim 9, whereinthe locking member of the cartridge assembly includes a base, and thefinger extends from the base.
 11. The tool assembly of claim 10, whereinthe base is secured to the outer surface of the channel.
 12. The toolassembly of claim 11, wherein the finger extends from the base in aproximal direction.
 13. The tool assembly of claim 8, wherein the rampmember includes an angled surface that slopes away from the anvil in theproximal direction.
 14. A surgical stapling device comprising: a bodyportion having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a drive assemblyincluding a knife bar, the drive assembly movable within the bodyportion between a drive retracted position to a drive advanced position;and a tool assembly supported on the distal portion of the body portion,the tool assembly including: an anvil; and a cartridge assembly coupledto the anvil such that the tool assembly is movable between an openposition and a clamped position, the cartridge assembly including: achannel including side walls and a bottom wall that define a cavity, thebottom wall defining a first knife slot that extends longitudinallythrough the bottom wall; a staple cartridge positioned within the cavityof the channel, the staple cartridge having a body, staples, and anactuation sled, the body defining staple receiving slots and a secondknife slot, the staples received within the staple receiving slots, theactuation sled movable through the body from a sled retracted positionto a sled advanced position to eject the staples from the staplecartridge, the actuation sled including a ramp member that extendsthrough the first knife slot of the channel; and a locking membersupported on the channel and including a finger that extends across thefirst knife slot, the finger being movable from a first position engagedwith an outer surface of the channel to a second position spaced fromthe outer surface of the channel, wherein movement of the actuation sledfrom the sled retracted position towards the sled advanced positionmoves the ramp member into engagement with the finger to move the fingerfrom the first position to the second position, the finger positioneddistally of the knife bar when the drive assembly is in the driveretracted position and obstructing movement of the drive assembly fromthe drive retracted position to the drive advanced position when thefinger of the locking member is in the first position.
 15. The surgicalstapling device of claim 14, wherein the locking member of the cartridgeassembly is formed of a resilient material and the finger is biased tothe first position.
 16. The surgical stapling device of claim 15,wherein the locking member of the cartridge assembly includes a base,and the finger extends from the base.
 17. The surgical stapling deviceof claim 16, wherein the base is secured to the outer surface of thechannel.
 18. The surgical stapling device of claim 17, wherein thefinger extends from the base in a proximal direction.
 19. The surgicalstapling device of claim 14, wherein the ramp member includes an angledsurface that slopes away from the anvil in the proximal direction. 20.The surgical stapling device of claim 14, wherein in the second positionof the finger of the locking member, the drive assembly is movable fromthe drive advanced position towards the drive advanced position.